TAMPA, Fla. -- Let me say this: There are some really interesting players here at the East-West Shrine game practices this week. It's really my first chance to see most of them in person, and I've seen a few guys that have flashed.
If you missed my notes from Tuesday, here's a link. I mentioned Javon Hargrave, the DT from South Carolina State. I think he's had the best week of anyone here. Below are my thoughts on players I felt really stood out on Wednesday:
East team practice
» Arkansas State TE Darion Griswold: He had a really nice day. Griswold ran good routes and made a really nice catch on a Y seam between good coverage. I think he opened some eyes again today.
» Illinois RB Josh Ferguson: He is really quick. If you watch his change of direction, he really pops. I'm eager to go watch tape on him after seeing him here. I really liked watching him. He's kind of a third-down change-of-pace guy who needs to catch the football, and he does it effortlessly.
» South Florida safety Jamie Byrd: He's only listed at 185 pounds. He's got some quickness but he's undersized. Fun to watch.
» Miami safety Deon Bush: Bush is a bigger safety than Byrd at 6-1, 205. He did a nice job today covering tight ends in one-on-one drills, and he should.
» UMass WR Tajae Sharpe: He's a lean kid; they list him at 6-3, 188. I like him on tape. He catches the ball well, and has flashed in each of the three practice this week.
» Stony Brook pass rusher Victor Ochi: He looked really good today, and has had a really nice week. He's 244 pounds. He has heavy hands, meaning he's able to control defenders. This is another guy I need to go back and do more work on.
West team practice
» Illinois WR Geronimo Allison: He has length, toughness; he blocks, made catches every day. I thought he had a really impressive week. I liked his toughness.
» Manitoba DL Ebuka Onyemata: He's got a big-time body. He's listed 6-4, 300, he has no idea what he's doing yet, but he's got size and he's got movement skills. He's very raw, but he's got an ability to turn into something. A few years ago, Akiem Hicks from Canada was in this game and became a third-round pick. I'm not saying (Onyemata) is a third-round pick, but he's got talent and movement skills, and some team is going to want to develop that.
» Colorado OT Stephane Nembot: He didn't play much high school football, and went to Colorado as a defensive end and got moved to tackle, so he's hardly played football. But he's 6-7, 320, with good feet as a former basketball player. He has no clue what he's doing, but he's a raw, developmental prospect and that's what this game's all about.
» Nebraska OT Alex Lewis: He's had a solid week, I think he's one of the better offensive linemen in this game, along with the Michigan kid, Graham Glasgow, who is on the East team.
Follow Mike Mayock on Twitter @MikeMayock
